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Distribution
Network Innovation
Allowance Summary Report
1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021
TO DELIVER A SAFE, RESILIENT
AND RESPONSIVE NETWORK FOR
ALL OUR CUSTOMERS
PROVIDE A VALUED TRUSTED
SERVICE FOR CUSTOMERS AND
COMMUNITIES
ACCELERATE PROGRESS
TOWARDS A NET ZERO WORLD
MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT
ON SOCIETY
Contents Foreword
Foreword 3
1 Our portfolio in numbers to end of 2020-21 4 Our Network Innovation Allowance (NIA)
portfolio has been crucial in achieving our
2 Introduction 5 knowledge and delivering smart and innovative
3 Summary of progress 12 solutions which deliver value for our customers.
3.1 NIA_SSEPD_0029 11kV Power Electronics 13 This year we have continued to work
Providing Reactive Compensation for Voltage Control in collaboration with industry partners,
3.2 NIA_SSEN_0034 SUBsense 14 government, customers and stakeholders
3.3 NIA_SSEN_0035 Informed Lightning Protection 15 to make innovation happen and deliver
benefits in a timely manner. In 2020/21, we
3.4 NIA_SSEN_0037 LV Underground Fault Location Technologies 16
delivered over £3m of benefits from innovative
3.5 NIA_SSEN_0038 E-Tourism 17 The UK and Scottish Governments have solutions deployed into Business as Usual
3.6 NIA_SSEN_0039 Electric Heat Pathway 18 set ambitious targets to achieve net zero (BaU), which brings our total benefits to date
3.7 NIA_SSEN_0040 Technical Interfaces to Scale as a DSO 19
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and in RIIO-ED1 to over £80m. This is comprised
2045 respectively. These policies are driving of £24m efficiency benefits and over £56m of
3.8 NIA_SSEN_0041 Modelling the Economic Reactions 20
radical change in how we need to plan, invest deferred capital expenditure (capex) delivered
Linking Individual Networks (MERLIN)
and operate our networks. The concurrent from flexibility services. We have listened to
3.9 NIA_SSEN_0042 Feasibility of Utilising Compressed Dry Air in 33kV 21 challenges of decarbonising both transport our stakeholders who have asked for better
Insulated Switchgear
and heat will require significant and extensive channels for sharing our project learnings and,
3.10 NIA_SSEN_0043 Whole System Growth Scenario Modelling (Phase 2) 22 electrification, with the Climate Change as a result, have developed a new website. If
known publicly as Regional Energy System Optimisation Planning (RESOP) Committee (CCC) forecasting that demand on you have an idea or area where you think we
3.11 NIA_SSEN_0044 Smart Hammer 23 electricity networks could treble by 2050. should be focusing innovation, then we want to
3.12 NIA_SSEN_0045 Future Fiscal Forecasting 24 Our approach to innovation facilitates the hear from you via www.ssen-innovation.co.uk
3.13 NIA_SSEN_0047 TraDER 25
trialling, testing and development of new ideas
and capabilities. This approach combined with
3.14 NIA_SSEN_0046 Local Electric Vehicle Energy Loop (LEVEL) 26
learning by doing is critical to help deliver the
3.15 NIA_SSEN_0048 Skyline 27 ambitions of our stakeholders and our business.
3.16 NIA_SSEN_0049 Equal EV 28
We recently refreshed our Innovation Strategy
3.17 NIA_SSEN_0050 Near Real-Time Data Access (NeRDA) 29 Stewart A Reid
which highlights the opportunities and
3.18 NIA_SSEN_0051 Synaps 2 Fault Detection, Classification & Location Solution 30 challenges facing electricity distribution and Head of Future Networks
3.19 NIA_SSEN_0052 Low Voltage Feeder Cable Open Circuit Detection 31 sets out why we innovate, how we engage with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
3.20 NIA_SSEN_0053 Future Control Rooms 32 stakeholders, how we develop and deliver our
innovation programme and the challenges and
3.21 Collaboration projects led by other Network Licensees 33
areas of focus for the remainder of this price
4 Further Information 34 control.
5 Contact Details 35
Page 2 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 3
Our Portfolio in numbers
to the end of 2020-21
Introduction
This report presents a summary of all Network
Innovation Allowance (NIA) activities carried out in
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ (SSEN)
license areas: Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution
(SHEPD) in the North of Scotland and Southern Electric
Power Distribution (SEPD) in central southern England
between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021. Our current
portfolio consists of 26 NIA projects, 20 of which we
are leading on and are summarised in this report. Of the
other six projects, five are being led by other Distribution
Network Operators (DNOs) and one by National Grid Co-creation and partnerships continue to form key
Collaborations NIA Projects ED1 Innovation Investment Electricity System Operator (NGESO). elements of our innovation activities. Our new projects
Over 130 individual 52 to date £16m launched in 2020/21 included collaborations with over
collaborations across NIA investment In the last year and throughout RIIO-ED1, we have 21 different stakeholders. For example, in our Equal EV
our NIA portfolio delivered a diverse and successful programme of project, we are working with partners Disabled Motoring
innovation activities where we have led the industry UK and Impact Research to understand the enablers
with ground breaking projects such as TRANSITION and the barriers for disabled and vulnerable motorists to
and Local Energy Oxfordshire (LEO) to support the access Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
transition to DSO and to facilitate net zero. These large
projects would not be possible if not for the learning Since our last NIA Summary Report, SSEN has refreshed
gained from NIA projects such as; Low Cost LV its Strategic Objectives as we prepare for RIIO-ED2.
Substation Monitoring, MERLIN, ACCESS and Social These are outlined in the diagram below. In response
Constraint Managed Zones. At the same time, we have to this change, we have recently amended and updated
maintained our focus on driving efficiency, improving our Innovation Strategy. The revised strategy outlines
customer service, enhancing the customer experience how we will deliver our innovation programme and how
and optimising asset performance. Innovation and we will progress through the remainder of
NIA funding have played a crucial role, in helping to ED1 and into ED2.
Flexibility services Projects completed ED1 understand the impact net zero will have on the network
This Summary Report details all of our NIA projects
Over 468MW of 32 to date as well as identifying the new options for delivering
benefits for customers. to date and identifies which of our strategic objectives
flexibility contracted each aligns to.
Benefits of innovation in ED1
£24m £56m 460,000
TO DELIVER A SAFE, PROVIDE A VALUED
efficiency deferred customer
RESILIENT AND TRUSTED SERVICE FOR
benefits from capex through interruptions
RESPONSIVE NETWORK CUSTOMERS AND
innovation the use of avoided FOR ALL OUR CUSTOMERS COMMUNITIES
deployment ANM schemes
72,800,000 354,000
ACCELERATE PROGRESS
minutes tonnes MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT
TOWARDS A NET ZERO
of customer of carbon ON SOCIETY
WORLD
minutes lost emissions
avoided avoided
SSEN Strategic Objectives
Page 4 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 5
Why we innovate
Innovation has always played an important role as a key enabler within SSEN, and Our development of innovation projects is shaped by a wide variety of sources.
the need to innovate becomes imperative as we look to achieve our ED2 Strategic Whether in response to external trends, the needs and expectations of our
Outcomes. Specifically, we aim to use innovation to: customers, or changes in regulatory and government policy, the need for
innovation is critical. We innovate to:
Support and enable IMPROVE NETWORK RELIABILITY DELIVER VALUE AND IMPROVE
SERVICE FOR CONSUMERS
the efficient delivery of
· Investigating technologies and
methods of working to support · Maximising savings by implementing
network security. innovative solutions as Business as
· Avoiding and reducing the impact Usual (BaU).
new capabilities to meet of supply interruptions. · Adapting the services we offer to
support our stakeholder needs.
· Improving safety performance for
our colleagues.
consumer needs FACILITATE NET ZERO TRANSITION
· Improving network access by reducing
DELIVER MEASURABLE SOCIAL,
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY
and deliver value.
time and cost to connect low carbon BENEFITS
generation, and energy storage · Developing new options for
IMAGE REQUIRED technologies. protecting our most vulnerable
customers.
· Supporting the use of the flexibility
· Reducing our carbon emissions
and transition to DSO.
Our wide-ranging approach to innovation includes: and delivering improvements in
· Enabling the uptake of electric vehicles environmental and safety
· Engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders to and electrification of heat. performance.
identify new challenges and opportunities across
the whole system.
· Co-creating innovation projects with partners from Our previous Innovation Strategy aligned with the RIIO-ED1 primary outputs · 1. Connections · 2. Customer Service
across the energy supply chain including other and Social Obligation Priorities · 3. Environment · 4. Reliability · 5. Safety. The following diagram shows how these
licensees, Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMS), outputs have been amalgamated into our new strategic objectives in our updated innovation strategy.
innovators, academics etc.
· Identifying opportunities to share best practice TO DELIVER A SAFE,RESILIENT AND PROVIDE A VALUED TRUSTED
and ‘fast follow’ to deliver benefits for both customers RESPONSIVE NETWORK FOR ALL SERVICE FOR CUSTOMERS AND
OUR CUSTOMERS COMMUNITIES
and stakeholders.
· Trialling new tools, techniques, systems and methods
of work to improve reliability and deliver efficiencies.
· Developing new knowledge and gathering evidence 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
to shape future plans.
ACCELERATE PROGRESS TOWARDS MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT
· Widely disseminating and sharing the new A NET ZERO WORLD ON SOCIETY
knowledge we discover.
· Identifying and testing the functions to support
the transition to DSO.
· Demonstrating new and emerging capabilities to
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
de-risk and learn by doing.
Page 6 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 7
Notable Innovations Benefits and Learning These units are returning insights into loading and
consumption patterns. An additional 540 units are being
installed by the end of ED1. Once complete this will total
around 2,280 LV substation monitors installed in ED1,
against our Strategic Objectives installed across our network areas as a business as usual which will provide insights across 11,000 LV feeders
undertaking. increasing our clarity and vision of network power flows.
All our innovation projects can be aligned to our strategic objectives. SSEN have also received Green Recovery Funding The previous learning from the Low Cost LV Substation
for around 150 units to cover Load Managed Areas in Monitoring NIA project and the impact that it had on the
Dundee and Thurso, plus an additional £2m Green cost of deployment of monitoring impacted directly on
TO DELIVER A SAFE, Recovery Funding to invest in around 1,500 units to be the successful BaU roll out.
RESILIENT AND
RESPONSIVE NETWORK
FOR ALL OUR CUSTOMERS
PROVIDE A VALUED
TRUSTED SERVICE FOR
CUSTOMERS AND
Understanding the health of our existing assets is key to We are a project partner on UK Power Networks (UKPN)
COMMUNITIES
improving our overall network reliability through better HV feeder Monitoring to pre-empt Faults project,
coordination of remedial and investment actions. We which is exploring the benefits of monitoring our
are developing new approaches when monitoring the overhead and underground High Voltage and Extra High
Co-creation and collaboration are essential to our have been analysing the importance of rot location
health of our assets to better understand condition and Voltage Networks. The project aims to test a solution,
innovation portfolio. specifically on the height of the wooden pole and how
anticipate failure, allowing us to proactively intervene “Distribution Fault Anticipation” (DFA), to monitor
the location of the hammer strike affects overall pole
thus minimising customer disruption. feeders to pre-empt faults. The DFA solution consists Working with partners ELECTRON, the award winning
health and condition.
of a disturbance recorder which can be installed on HV TraDER project is demonstrating how distribution
SUBsense applies an acoustic sensing system to
or EHV feeders to monitor network characteristics and constraint products can be traded in near real time. Following a number of strikes, the data produced will
monitor the health of our submarine cables. Real
a “Master station” cloud-based service which provides The output of this project will integrate markets, both provide a consistent output score that is weighted. This
time monitoring of submarine cables will facilitate
the secure conduit and main data repository between horizontally (i.e with other, longer term DSO products) score is based on where on the pole deterioration has
understanding of the condition of our cables. This
the DFA and the DNO. This will be trialled alongside and vertically (i.e other trades within the same time been found, with the end goal being a Red, Amber or
understanding will support management of wear and
a network analysis tool (ASPEN Distriview) and Fault period, such as the Balancing Mechanism). TraDER Green status. This will give the operative a clear visual
tear of these cables, thus mitigating associated lost or
Passage Indicators (FPIs) to monitor a selection of HV provides a platform creating a single access point, on the condition of the pole. Earlier detection of a
interrupted supplies. Acoustic Monitoring will also give
and EHV feeders to identify the location of network making it easier for distributed energy resources to deteriorating pole will enable proactive replacement and
us an accurate fault location, (+/-10m) should a cable
issues before they materialise into faults. provide valuable services such as balancing, stability, reduce unplanned supply interruptions, thus improving
fault occur to allow SSEN to assess the most appropriate
and network capacity, In this way, “whole system value” system reliability.
method of repair; and arrange for an enhanced SYNAPS 2 is exploring the benefits of monitoring our
is maximised by enabling price-driven coordination
inspection of the cable for damage in that location. underground LV Networks through Waveform Analysis. The Smart Hammer also has the potential to be used by
between the NGESO, DSO and other market
The monitoring technique is looking to forewarn against our field staff to assess the safety risk more accurately
In the event of a cable movement, an alert is issued, participants.
faults on our LV underground system. The outcome of before climbing a pole. The key learning has been
ensuring preventative measures can be taken such as
this project will not solely be a system that warns against Our work in the MERLIN project brings together the crucial integration of this data within our existing
additional rock dumping to secure the cable prior to
pre-fault activity but will generate data to support the academia and industry to look at how power system management systems, which will inform future planning.
it failing.
management of our LV underground assets within our economics will impact on future network operation,
SSEN actively participates in wider industry initiatives
The key learning from SUBsense will be information Investment Management process. with a focus on the economic efficiency of flexibility
such as the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Open
and alerts if we have excessive cable movement on products.
LV Monitoring; in 2020/21 SSEN expanded BaU rollout of Networks project and works closely with other network
the seabed which can lead to premature wear or
secondary substation monitors following the successful In our Smart Hammer project, we have partnered licensees to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness
environmental damage. Currently, submarine cable
completion of the Low Cost LV Substation Monitoring with a local SME based on the Western Isles, to develop of our innovation portfolio. We engage in a number
condition is not monitored in real time and is assessed
NIA project. BaU rollout has been achieved through the a tool which can be used as a consistent and reliable of collaborative projects such as the Western Power
by costly inspection by divers or Remote Operated
LEO project and Load Managed Areas project. alternative to wood pole inspection techniques. Distribution (WPD) led Wildlife Protection project,
Vehicles (ROV’s). The aim of the project is for our
which is looking to develop a risk assessment based
customers to benefit from an extended life of submarine Project LEO is based in the county of Oxfordshire, which The tool takes the form of a Smart Hammer that
methodology for the implementation of wildlife
cables using the data and alerts provided by SUBsense. is the focus area of our flagship DSO works, has installed connects to the operator’s smart phone, providing
protection measures and also reviewing international
90 substation monitoring units, covering 450 LV feeders. an asset score of the poles health. The project team
Page 8 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 9
best practice to identify a wider range of potential potential environmental and societal benefits from
interventions. SSEN is also involved in the Wales and a reduction in noise pollution through the elimination ACCELERATE PROGRESS
West Utilities Eye in the Sky project which looks to of manned helicopter usage and carbon savings, TOWARDS A NET ZERO
develop a framework that will allow Beyond Visual Line benefiting communities from fewer overhead WORLD
Of Sight flight with drones (BVLOS). This project has helicopter flights.
EV sales continue to increase, with over half a million This allowed SSEN to identify where in these eight use
PROVIDE A VALUED
ultra-low emission vehicles now on UK roads This cases the network would need to be either reinforced
TRUSTED SERVICE FOR
CUSTOMERS AND brings increased demand and reliance on the electricity or managed through flexibility to cope with the seasonal
COMMUNITIES network. Our NIA portfolio is exploring future challenges peaks. Key outcomes to date have indicated:
for the network and identifying solutions and partnerships
1. Constraints are not expected at primary substation
to address. Our E-Tourism project is exploring potential
level, but some secondary substations could be
In November 2020, we registered our Equal EV project, Lack of information on accessible charging seasonal and geographical network challenges
constrained.
making us the first DNO to investigate accessibility of Specialist organisations such as Motability, Disabled associated with EV charging points, which may arise from
large volumes of EVs being driven by tourists. A desktop 2. Isolated tourist sites and popular routes are predicted
EV charging and suitable options which can improve Motoring UK and publications such as UCan2, the
study was undertaken to understand the scale, location to be the worst affected. This highlights the need
services for current and future EV owners with disabilities. driving magazine, all provide information on driving
and impact on the electricity network of seasonal EV for a just and fair transition to ensure those in rural
Alongside project partners, Disabled Motoring UK and EVs. However, this information is not presented unless
charging and particularly at locations where public communities are not left behind.
Impact Research, SSEN has conducted a literature drivers have reached the consideration stage of
review, and a number of stakeholder interviews and purchasing an EV and therefore actively search for it. transport was limited in the North of Scotland. The 3. The season when highest network demand is
focus groups have been held which included 14 different In addition to this, many mobility-impaired drivers do study investigated eight use cases which included: predicted depends on the balance between existing
companies and organisations, such as local government, not consider themselves disabled as such and wouldn’t • A Ferry Port network demand and predicted charging demand.
charities and independent start-ups leading the way in necessarily be exposed to specialist messaging. Without This needs to be explored further however this could
• Two Rural tourist attractions
either accessibility, technology or EVs. The findings to more widespread knowledge of and exposure to EVs, be a significant challenge for the electricity network
• City Centre
date have identified the following barriers: assumptions that EV charging isn’t practical for these as transport and heat converge.
mobility-impaired drivers will be difficult to address. • Rural Village
Access to charge points The physical act of using In addition to seasonal Impacts, we are also exploring
• Trunk roads
an EV charge point can be a real challenge for those The next steps for the project will investigate what new data sharing opportunities and partnerships through
with mobility problems, with different considerations new technologies are available which could support our Skyline project. Skyline is working with partners
depending on the charge point location. this group of people, what enablers are required to across the EV supply chain and UKPN, to explore how
participate and what new services a DNO needs to data can be used to give early visibility of new EV
Cost The initial outlay for an EV is applicable to all
offer under the Priority Services in the future. registrations and charge point connections. This gives
drivers. However, driving can already be more expensive
an opportunity for DNOs to make timely and proactive
for mobility-impaired drivers than for non-disabled drivers We are also collaborating with SPEN on the APPEAL
network interventions, reducing costs for consumers
due to adaptions needed to the car, increased insurance project which is trialling alternative preservatives to
and facilitating the changes necessary to support the
costs, and additional mobility equipment needs. creosote for wood poles. Creosote is environmentally
transition to EVs.
hazardous and is about to be fully banned in the UK.
Psychological barriers and range anxiety
This ban will severely disrupt the supply of timber
Through the literature review, we have identified that
overhead line (OHL) supports (millions in the UK). A
mobility-impaired drivers are likely to be more risk
small increase in the cost of an alternative preservative
averse than non-disabled drivers and are more likely
will have a major impact on the cost of maintaining
to be affected by EV range anxiety. Being able to travel
the network. The chosen alternative must also be able
independently is key, and so journeys are often subject
to protect the poles as effectively as creosote to avoid
to a higher level of planning and preparation than for
premature failures of our OHL.
non-disabled drivers. Uncertainty about where and when
they may be able to charge is a key barrier for many
mobility-impaired drivers. The length of time needed to
find a charger and charge their car is a further concern.
Page 10 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 11
Summary
3.1 NIA_SSEPD_0029 11kV Power Electronics
Providing Reactive Compensation for Voltage Control
of progress
Up to the year ending 31 March 2021, there were 26 projects funded under
SEPD and SHEPD Network Innovation Allowance (NIA). Of these, 20 projects
were led by us and the remaining six were managed by other DNOs. Over the
year, five of our NIA projects have been successfully completed and seven new
projects have been registered.
Each project accumulates knowledge and learning which aligns with one or
more Strategic Objective as outlined in Section 1. The appropriate primary Key activities Primary Strategic Objective
Strategic Objective is denoted via the inclusion of its icon. This project demonstrates the deployment of a new power
TO DELIVER A SAFE,
electronic reactive compensation unit capable of dealing
RESILIENT AND
with a range of potential voltage problems.
RESPONSIVE NETWORK
FOR ALL OUR
Expected benefits CUSTOMERS
The ability to improve power quality will reduce nuisance
TO DELIVER A SAFE, PROVIDE A VALUED electrical disturbances such as light flicker for our customers
as the 11kV Power Electronics equipment has the potential Collaborating with
RESILIENT AND TRUSTED SERVICE FOR
to reduce rapid voltage changes which can cause customers
RESPONSIVE NETWORK CUSTOMERS AND
lights to flicker. Where the unit has been installed our
FOR ALL OUR CUSTOMERS COMMUNITIES customers have seen improvements in their quality of supply.
This ability to better manage the network by limiting voltage
and current fluctuation will also reduce the wear and tear
on electrical equipment. The 11kV Power Electronics project
also has the added benefit of being able to increase the Funding Start/end date
ACCELERATE PROGRESS output capacity from solar and small-scale wind generation £732,000 June 2016 / September 2020
MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT
TOWARDS A NET ZERO connections.
Website
ON SOCIETY
WORLD Progress www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssepd_0029
Following initial testing and investigation of the devices at
the Power Network Distribution Centre (PNDC), one 11kV
Power Electronic unit was installed at a wind turbine site at
Shawbost on the Isle of Lewis to specifically address customer
complaints associated with voltage quality. This year the new
unit has improved the voltage profile seen by our customers
resulting in fewer sudden short losses of supply and a
reduction in complaints associated with light flicker.
Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 13
3.2 NIA_SSEN_0034 SUBsense 3.3 NIA_SSEN_0035 Informed Lightning Protection
Key activities Primary Strategic Objective Key activities Primary Strategic Objective
The project aims to install a real time monitoring system Lightning strikes are known to cause a significant number
using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) on several new TO DELIVER A SAFE, of supply interruptions to our customers and damage to the TO DELIVER A SAFE,
subsea cables. The DAS system will utilise the single mode RESILIENT AND RESILIENT AND
network which is costly to resolve. In our Scottish Network,
fibre optics embedded within the cable. A DAS interrogator RESPONSIVE NETWORK RESPONSIVE NETWORK
FOR ALL OUR lightning strikes are the second highest cause of customer FOR ALL OUR
unit connects to the optical fibre which essentially turns the CUSTOMERS CUSTOMERS
interruptions and minutes lost, whilst in our Southern
fibre into an array of virtual microphones. Short pulses of
Network it is the fifth highest cause. Therefore, avoiding the
highly coherent light are transmitted down the fibre by an
interrogator unit, and backscatter returns are observed. impact that unplanned outages have on our customers is
Collaborating with an important issue for SSEN.
Collaborating with
The backscatter observations detect minute cable strains
induced by acoustic events, which when passed through
to a processing unit can provide interpretations and Expected benefits
visualisation of the signal. https://www.subsense.co.uk The main benefit of this project is expected to be a
reduction in lightning-related faults causing customer
Expected benefits Funding Start/end date supply interruptions.
Real time monitoring of submarine cables will give SSEN a £1,458,218 August 2018 / August 2021
greater understanding of the conditions in which our cables Progress
operate and proactively manage mechanical wear and tear Website The data analytics phase of the project has been successfully
of the cable, thus preventing associated lost or interrupted www.smarternetworks.org/project/project/nia_ssen_0034 completed, with the identification of a number of locations
supplies. This monitoring will notify us when there is an which are suitable for the installation of surge arresters aimed
immediate concern to the health of the submarine cable or Funding Start/end date
at protecting the circuits against lightning strikes. Up to March
safety of nearby marine users. Submarine cables are one of £521,000 March 2019 / March 2023
2021, 150 surge arresters have been installed in our Southern
the costliest assets within the distribution network. Being able
Network and another 300 are planned to be installed in our Website
to identify a fault location in real time will allow us to carry out
Northern Network. Due to the initial performance success of www.smarternetworks.org/project/project/nia_ssen_0035
repairs quickly and effectively before they pose a potential risk
these surge arresters protecting against lightning, there are
to other marine users.
plans to protect additional high risk circuits during RIIO-ED2
Progress through BaU funding.
Communications testing and system integration of the DAS
systems have been completed. The DAS systems will be rolled
out to the remote areas but the roll-out has been affected by
Covid this year.
Page 14 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 15
3.4 NIA_SSEN_0037 LV Underground Fault 3.5 NIA_SSEN_0038 E-Tourism
Location Technologies
Key activities the business is now looking into larger deployment and use Key activities Primary Strategic Objective
The project looks to improve the accuracy of low voltage, of acoustic devices and further development of the FPIs. The project’s aim is to carry out traffic flow and network
underground, fault location techniques, reducing repair times modelling to understand the impact of EV charging. It
Primary Strategic Objective includes the design and development of specific network
ACCELERATE
and shortening outages for our customers. Initially a range PROGRESS TOWARDS
of acoustic devices and fault passage indicators (FPIs) were and local flexibility solutions to assist with security of electric A NET ZERO WORLD
TO DELIVER A SAFE,
trialled on a test network. The most successful devices were RESILIENT AND
supply to EV charging hubs to deal with highly seasonal
then passed on to the field teams for trialling. RESPONSIVE NETWORK charging peaks in the tourist season.
FOR ALL OUR
Expected benefits CUSTOMERS Expected benefits Collaborating with
This project will establish the technical and commercial The benefits of this project will be an improved understanding Scottish Government
viability of a selection of acoustic cable fault location devices of how increased EV uptake, combined with tourist behaviour, Transport Scotland
Funding Start/end date
and fault passage indicators that can work in conjunction with will impact seasonal peak electric demand on the network,
£396,000 June 2019 / December 2020
existing proven LV fault location technologies. It will also look identifying the scale, location and duration of any increased Funding Start/end date
to maximise the portfolio of technologies available for LV fault Website charging followed by an in-depth study of specific locations. It £401,000 July 2019 / September 2022
location and make recommendations for optimal adoption https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0037 will look to enhance stakeholder engagement by helping local
of the suitable devices for BaU use. Environmental benefits community groups, local authorities and other organisations Website
will come from being able to more accurately pinpoint an to understand the impact that heightened EV tourism will have https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0038
underground cable fault, reducing the number of excavations on local demand. It will also benefit investment strategies
and volume of spoil. for network development based on expected impacts of EV
uptake and tourist patterns, thus coordinating future network
Progress capacity efficiently.
Successful test network trials identified the most technically
Progress
capable devices, which have since been passed to a selection
of field teams in both licence areas. As these teams cover This project has published a report detailing findings from
different network topographies and cable types, this was a a North of Scotland based study which highlights the scale,
significant field test of the LV detection tools. Data from the location and impacts of seasonal EV charging.
field is being collected, analysed and compared with historical
records to establish that there are quantifiable improvements
in fault location detection. Pending the results of this analysis
Page 16 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 17
3.6 NIA_SSEN_0039 Electric Heat Pathway 3.7 NIA_SSEN_0040 Technical Interfaces
to Scale as a DSO
Key activities Primary Strategic Objective Key activities Primary Strategic Objective
A presumption has been made that any electrified heat This project will determine the requirements for safely and
should use heat pumps. However, it is essential to establish securely communicating with customers’ end point devices,
ACCELERATE ACCELERATE
a pragmatic solution to the immediate problem of the Radio such as small generation connections, to enable more flexible
PROGRESS TOWARDS PROGRESS TOWARDS
Teleswitching System (RTS) switch-off in March 2023 and a A NET ZERO WORLD connections and flexibility services at a smaller scale and at A NET ZERO WORLD
long-term model which will allow electric storage heating a lower cost. Initially, investigation will take place into the
to play an appropriate role in heat decarbonisation and the existing international communication protocols and interface
shift to a smart, flexible electricity system. . devices that could be used for distributed energy resource
Collaborating with management. A subset of the protocols and devices identified Collaborating with
Expected benefits will be assessed within laboratory-based trials.
A report titled ‘An Electric Heat Pathway – Looking Beyond
Heat Pumps report’ was produced to help stimulate the public Expected benefits
debate on storage heating, whilst also providing a better A key benefit of this project is the creation of a technical
understanding of the opportunities and benefits of flexible specification of requirements around communication with
heating demand and how best to implement them. Funding Start/end date customers’ end point devices, alternatively known as Technical
£33,400 October 2019 / April 2020 Interfaces, that can be used by the electricity industry. The
Progress
trial aims to assess the readiness of the selected protocols
SSEN held two well-attended external webinars to share the Website and devices for DSO applications, the compatibility of these
findings of the report. https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0039 interfaces with our existing systems and the cyber security
Funding Start/end date
Internally, it is currently being considered how we move implications of using these interfaces.
£448,000 September 2019 / September 2021
forward with the recommendations within the report. It will
Progress
feed positively into the RIIO-ED2 planning, generating and Website
supporting other innovation projects. A report has been produced outlining the possible https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0040
communication protocols and architectures for customers’
end point devices. This has led onto further work assessing
and analysing the cyber security strength of the protocols,
including consultations with the ENA Open Networks Project.
Page 18 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 193.8 NIA_SSEN_0041 Modelling the Economic Reactions 3.9 NIA_SSEN_0042 Feasibility of Utilising Compressed
Linking Individual Networks (MERLIN) Dry Air in 33kV Insulated Switchgear
Key activities Primary Strategic Objective Key activities Primary Strategic Objective
The project is testing the economic impact that a variety of The environmental impact of Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6)
flexibility scenarios could have in a future DSO world. The means that its use in the industry is becoming increasingly TO DELIVER A SAFE,
PROVIDE A VALUED
objective is to inform the wider DSO work that is ongoing, TRUSTED SERVICE FOR regulated and restricted. SSEN has more than 10,000 items RESILIENT AND
CUSTOMERS AND of switchgear that utilise SF6 for both insulation and arc RESPONSIVE NETWORK
especially the TRANSITION and LEO projects. FOR ALL OUR
COMMUNITIES interruption. There are a variety of environmental implications
CUSTOMERS
Expected benefits associated with managing equipment containing SF6 . This
The project will have a variety of benefits including: project will determine the viability of utilising dry air as an
• Improving the 11kV network design process by providing Collaborating with SF6 alternative.
insight into automation through Common Information
Collaborating with
Expected benefits
Models (CIM)
Benefits of this project has been the production of
• Reducing risk of flexible service procurement through an appraising report of new SF6-free 33kV switchgear
model studies technologies, inclusive of risk assessments, training
• Assisting with flexible service investment decision making requirements, operation and maintenance requirements,
processes ensuring that any alternative is both safe for our staff to
operate and maintains network integrity. The report will
Progress form part of the road map to deliver SF6 -free switchgear
We have completed the first 5 of 8 Milestones for the project: into BaU thus aiding the reduction in our operational Funding Start/end date
• Milestone 1: Creating an International Experience on Carbon Footprint. The report is available on request: £66,700 December 2019 / June 2020
Flexible Services Summary Report Funding Start/end date futurenetworks@sse.com
£338,600 October 2019 / October 2021 Website
• Milestone 2: Defining Investment Scenarios to Model Progress https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0042
• Milestone 3: Reporting on Regulation & Policies Website The project was completed in 2020 by Threepwood
• Milestone 4: Creating Investment Scenarios https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0041 Consulting Ltd. Threepwood were appointed to carry out
the Desktop Study, on behalf of SSEN, aided by a very positive
• Milestone 5: Developing an Operational Plan for Testing response from manufacturers. From these responses the
Day Ahead Market report has been compiled detailing the feasibility of utilising
The modelling phase of the project has now been completed compressed dry air as an alternative to SF6 .
and the cost benefit analysis (CBA) work has started. Detailed
deliverables can be found at the project website:
https://project-merlin.co.uk
Page 20 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 213.10 NIA_SSEN_0043 Whole System Growth Scenario Modelling 3.11 NIA_SSEN_0044 Smart Hammer
(Phase 2) known publicly as Regional Energy System Optimisation
Planning (RESOP)
Key activities Progress Key activities Primary Strategic Objective
To allow the UKs ambition to efficiently achieve its low carbon The project has held several requirement gathering The Smart Hammer project will develop a new hammer tool
ambitions, a holistic whole system approach is required workshops with key internal SSEN stakeholders, Dundee for testing and inspecting the asset health of wood poles. PROVIDE A VALUED
involving key external stakeholders as well as other energy City Council, Scotia Gas Network, Scottish Government and The project will field trial the Smart Hammer on completion TRUSTED SERVICE FOR
vectors such as gas. There is a wider awareness of the climate Transport Scotland. A paper design has been published in of development across the SSEN Operational Regions. By CUSTOMERS AND
COMMUNITIES
emergency, which has resulted in national, regional and draft form to record the direction and seek agreement with striking the pole with the hammer it will measure the asset
local government bodies beginning to set strict targets to all key stakeholders before progressing to the physical design. health of the pole and record this in an accompanying Smart
reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. Many of these Hammer app. Collaborating with
Primary Strategic Objective
Spectral Line System Ltd
targets rely on electrification of heat and transport. Individual
local authorities are beginning to create their own strategies
Expected benefits
for low carbon technologies, e.g. EVs and heat, as well as Benefits of this project will be the establishment of a
ACCELERATE technically and commercially viable Smart Hammer, with
detailed local energy strategies. This project is a partnership PROGRESS TOWARDS
to help explore the range of whole system growth scenarios A NET ZERO WORLD accurate and repeatable results to help detect internal rot Funding Start/end date
or damage to wooden poles. The project aims to identify £498,200 February 2020 / October 2021
to both achieve net zero whilst facilitating the economic
development plans of the local area. if the Smart Hammer is a consistent and reliable alternative
to the traditional method of wood pole inspections, which
Website
Collaborating with https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0044
Expected benefits use a conventional hammer and the operators interpretation
The benefit of this project will be the development of a of the strike. Earlier detection of a deteriorating pole will
methodology to improve coordination between local energy enable proactive replacement, preventing unplanned electric
planning and network development, enabling the Distribution interruptions due to broken poles thus improving system
Network Operator (DNO) to engage with local authorities in reliability. The Smart Hammer also has the potential to be used
a structured way. As part of that methodology the project will by our field staff to accurately assess the safety risk before
refine the initial model tool developed in the first stage of the
Funding Start/end date climbing a pole.
£343,000 January 2020 / July 2021
NIA project to produce a local energy network model which
will allow stakeholder information to be easily incorporated
Progress
Website This project is now in the process of testing the B-Model
into network planning and for stakeholders to better https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0043
understand the network implications of their decisions. which is a 3rd generation prototype hammer. This will then
lead onto the next stage to develop the final prototype
hammers and carry out intense testing on our network.
Page 22 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 233.12 NIA_SSEN_0045 Future Fiscal Forecasting 3.13 NIA_SSEN_0047 TraDER
Key activities • an assessment of methodology to be used; and Key activities Progress
This project will look to implement a new forecasting model • a quantitative evaluation of the level of accuracy of TraDER will provide a platform, creating a single access To date, the project has successfully designed a process
to help inform future pricing decisions across SSEN and the the new forecasting model. point, to make it easier for distributed energy resources from which ANM data can be captured and transmitted to
wider industry. The project will test the hypothesis that the to provide valuable services such as balancing, stability, Electron in near real-time. Further work is being undertaken
use of GB Settlement sourced ‘fiscal’ metering (referring
Primary Strategic Objective and network capacity. In this way, “whole system value” is to deliver this active link from SSEN’s ANM system prior to
to recording electrical energy flow for each half hour for maximised by enabling price-driven coordination between the project end.
Settlement (Half Hourly Metering Systems)) in combination ACCELERATE
NGESO, DSO and other market participants. Project TraDER
TraDER has given SSEN a detailed insight into the types of
with SCADA data and weather data will lead to more accurate PROGRESS TOWARDS will both develop and trade flexibility in as near real-time
data that will be requested both now and in the near future.
forecasts for fiscal purposes. The project will use the above A NET ZERO WORLD as possible. The solution will integrate the flexibility market
These requirements have been captured as part of the lessons
data to: both horizontally (i.e. with other, longer term Distribution
learnt and will be shared with larger DSO-related projects
• Forecast energy consumption for a Distribution Service Area System Operator (DSO) products) and vertically (i.e. other
Collaborating with such as TRANSITION during the project closedown.
(DSA) and disaggregate this into the corresponding Grid trades within the same time period, such as the Balancing
Supply Points (GSPs) e.g. the SEPD DSA and 18 GSPs; and Mechanism). Primary Strategic Objective
• Forecast energy consumption for a sample of HV feeders Expected benefits
with a high uptake of demand or generation (two There are significant learning benefits associated with the
PROVIDE A VALUED
generation-dominated, and two demand-dominated). TRUSTED SERVICE FOR
Funding Start/end date project as SSEN will act as a facilitator to TraDER by delivering CUSTOMERS AND
data from the Active Network Management (ANM) system COMMUNITIES
Expected benefits £131,500 March 2020 / December 2020
currently operating in Orkney and then facilitating changes
Such a forecasting solution, utilising advanced data
analytics techniques, has the potential to develop more Website to the ANM system in order to execute flexibility trades
Collaborating with
detailed forecasting to help maintain accurate billing for https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0045 created by the TraDER platform. In return, TraDER will deliver
customers. It could also improve the forecasting of Low outputs which will allow SSEN to assess the impact of how
Carbon Technologies; potentially facilitating their uptake. trades can be implemented on the ANM scheme, e.g.,
changes to Last In First Out (LIFO) connection order, and
Progress associated costs to SSEN. Funding Start/end date
This project has concluded by completing:
£275,000 March 2020 / June 2021
• An assessment of the availability and suitability of current
and future data sources which could provide more detailed Website
fiscal forecasting of energy volumes https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0047
Page 24 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 253.14 NIA_SSEN_0046 Local Electric Vehicle 3.15 NIA_SSEN_0048 Skyline
Energy Loop (LEVEL)
Key activities Primary Strategic Objective Key activities Primary Strategic Objective
Increased use of EVs requires greater resilience of the To develop a central asset database of domestic electric
electricity network. This project is investigating the EV charge-points, providing detailed visibility of their
ACCELERATE ACCELERATE
specification of temporary and portable EV charging geographical emergence as early as possible. Early visibility
PROGRESS TOWARDS PROGRESS TOWARDS
infrastructure devices to provide additional capacity to A NET ZERO WORLD will allow DNOs to use the lead times to better plan for the A NET ZERO WORLD
meet short-term demand in a location. required network investments or alternative solutions to
support the uptake of EVs in the locations in which they
Expected benefits Funding Start/end date are most likely to connect. Collaborating with
This project will develop a standard and specification for £320,000 April 2020 / October 2021
portable temporary EV chargers to assist with network Expected benefits
resilience and meet short term demand. Website The earlier the DNOs can have visibility regarding new (or
https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0046 potential) EV charge point connections, the better they can:
Progress • Be proactive in targeting where and when investment is
The project has identified use cases for mobile charging needed to accommodate increasing EV uptake;
points ranging from emergency road closures, storms and • Defer or even avoid the disruption and costs of reinforcing
sporting events. There is ongoing investigation into the a network by using smart solutions like smart charging
practicalities of the connection and operation of the mobile and flexibility first;
change points. • Minimise delays and disruption for customers by making Funding Start/end date
sure networks are already invested in before they look to £811,623 September 2020 / June 2022
have a charge point installed, allowing them to benefit
from a quicker and potentially cheaper connection if Website
having to apply. https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0048
Progress
The data requirements, for the notification system, have
been identified by the project team. In addition, the key
third-party data source companies (DSCs) have been
identified. These DSCs are the main target of the engagement
process as they are the primary source of information
required for the system. Engagement with these companies
is currently ongoing.
Page 26 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 273.16 NIA_SSEN_0049 Equal EV 3.17 NIA_SSEN_0050 Near Real-Time Data
Access (NeRDA)
Key activities Primary Strategic Objective Key activities Primary Strategic Objective
There are over 2.4 million disabled parking badge holders NeRDA is a small scale demonstrator project which will
in the UK, with approximately 630,000 vehicles registered make near real-time DNO network data available to
MAKE A POSITIVE ACCELERATE
through the Motability Scheme – a scheme focused on IMPACT stakeholders. This will be tested by engaging with
PROGRESS TOWARDS
vehicle leasing for motorists with disabilities and their care ON SOCIETY stakeholders including those already involved in ongoing A NET ZERO WORLD
providers. Disabled motorists are often overlooked with local energy innovation projects.
regards to EV charging. There is a need to investigate and
understand the enablers for both public and domestic Expected benefits
Collaborating with Funding Start/end date
charging solutions, not just for drivers with a disability but The benefit of this project will be to make near real-time
£447,035 November 2020 / May 2022
also for a wider range of potentially vulnerable customers data for the Oxfordshire area available to stakeholders and
such as elderly people or those with chronic illnesses. assess its usefulness to them. This will be enabled through the Website
implementation of a technology solution for near real-time https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0050
Expected benefits DNO data to enable its collation and presentation through an
The benefit of this project will be identification of solutions Application Protocol Interface (API). The project will assess
to overcome barriers for EV adoption and ensure ‘no one is Funding Start/end date the benefits and usability of the data through this API with
left behind’ in the EV roll out. £345,000 October 2020 / April 2022
stakeholder groups such as local community energy action
Progress Website initiatives Local Energy Oxford (LEO).
The project has appointed Impact Research to investigate https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0049
Progress
the enablers and barriers for drivers with disabilities adopting
To date extensive stakeholder engagement has been carried
EVs. Stakeholder research is still underway, however to date
out with key stakeholders in the Oxfordshire region to
there has been a literature review and two focus groups held
understand their requirements for accessing near real-time
which included 14 different companies and organisations,
data through an API and web portal. Business and technical
such as local government, charities and independent start-
requirements documentation have been developed for the
ups leading the way in either accessibility, technology or EVs.
project and architecture that will allow the data to be made
available via an API.
Page 28 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 293.18 NIA_SSEN_0051 Synaps 2 Fault Detection, 3.19 NIA_SSEN_0052 Low Voltage Feeder
Classification & Location Solution Cable Open Circuit Detection
Key activities Primary Strategic Objective Key activities Primary Strategic Objective
The SYNAPS Fault Detection, Classification & Location DNOs currently identify open circuit fault locations using
Solution (SYNAPS 1 NIA_UKPN0037) project was successful PROVIDE A VALUED equipment from different manufacturers with a variety of PROVIDE A VALUED
in trialling a solution which predicted fault locations TRUSTED SERVICE FOR accuracy results, which sometimes requires an excavation for TRUSTED SERVICE FOR
CUSTOMERS AND CUSTOMERS AND
from electrical waveforms gathered through monitoring the equipment to work. This project will investigate different
COMMUNITIES COMMUNITIES
equipment prior to any noticeable LV activity, detecting types and ways of sending signals during cable fault location
transient or “pecking” fault events of short duration and low events to investigate which of them is best at pinpointing and
energy that did not rupture a fuse or trigger an LV network Collaborating with locating the position of the cable open circuit fault. Collaborating with
circuit breaker. Whilst not yet ready for a wider rollout, this
technology was certainly of interest and the Synaps 2 project Expected benefits
is aimed at increasing the technical readiness level (TRL) to During this project the following benefits could be realised:
a commercially ready solution. • More accurate location of underground cable open circuit
faults on a variety of cables; of various shielding
Expected benefits construction, and understanding any limitations of the Funding Start/end date
The project has the potential to develop a commercial device; £408,169 December 2020 / September 2022
underground cable fault-finding device with improved • More efficient planning of remedial repairs and Website
accuracy, along with developing procedures for operational • Greatly reduced Customer Minutes Lost (CMLs). https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0052
staff to use the technology.
Funding Start/end date Progress
Progress
£661,140 December 2020 / July 2022 The project started in December 2020 and procurement
SYNAPS 2 started in December 2020. So far, the procurement and contracts are now in place with HAYSYS Ltd. Currently
and legal activities have been completed regarding the Website HAYSYS Ltd are starting the project development. Their first
contract with the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), who will https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0051 milestone will be finalising equipment specification for the
co-ordinate the project on behalf of the Distribution Network detection of LV faults. The initial project meeting setting
Operators (DNOs). out the project framework in detail and preliminary reviews
has been completed. The next stage will be facilitating User
Group requirements meetings with field staff.
Page 30 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Network Innovation Allowance Summary Report 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 Page 313.20 NIA_SSEN_0053 Future Control Room
3.21 Collaboration projects led by other Network Licensees
Below is a list of other projects that SSEN is participating in. The projects are
led by our collaboration partners hence further details of those projects can
be found in their relevant summaries and project progress reports. To provide
some indication of where those details can be found, the leading parties are
given below next to each project.
Project number Project title Lead party
NIA_SPEN_008 Appeal (Wood preservatives) SP Energy Networks
NIA_WWU_045 Eye in the Sky Wales and West Utilities
NIA_SPT_1801 Distributed Ledger SP Energy Networks
Technology Enabled
Key activities Progress Distribution System
The project will consider the requirements, the high-level The project has only recently started. Stakeholder Operation (Phase 1)
architecture, operational need, and business impact of the engagement workshops have been held with UKPN & SSEN
future DNO control room. The outputs will also include staff. These initial workshops were intended to understand the NIA_UKPN_047 Feeder monitoring to UK Power Networks
an initial roadmap and architectural design for the future requirements and to identify use cases for a future distribution pre-empt faults
control room simulator. This NIA project will also make control room. A report is presently being compiled to
recommendations for future development, further work document the workshops and will in due course be shared WPD_NIA_044 Wildlife Protection Western Power Distribution
required, use cases and user requirements for the future and verified by the wider industry.
DNO control room to assess any challenges, opportunities NIA_NGO0033 Heat 4D National Grid Electrical System Operator
and ongoing benefits to the electricity industry. Primary Strategic Objective
Expected benefits TO DELIVER A SAFE,
RESILIENT AND
The project will provide new learning on the functionality RESPONSIVE NETWORK
and requirements of future control rooms, including: user FOR ALL OUR
requirements, technical architectures, data analysis and cyber CUSTOMERS
security needs across a range of future operating scenarios.
The project will also evaluate the potential use of new analytical Collaborating with
techniques such as machine learning and artificial intelligence,
to better maintain network resilience in a network which has
widespread use of automation, Active Network Management
(ANM) and flexibility, as well as a huge range of new monitoring/
power flow data available from Low Carbon Technologies,
smart meters and enhanced network monitoring. The project
will also provide insights into the role of the DNO Control
Engineer (HV and LV) when managing an increasingly complex
network in the future. The project will also provide an overview Funding Start/end date
of the research program required to develop a robust evidence £445,000 January 2021 / April 2022
base to allow for adoption of these new techniques into future
control rooms. Website
https://www.smarternetworks.org/project/nia_ssen_0053
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